Movable eccentric.



No. 725,716. PATENT-Eli APR. 21, 1908. W. T. JAMES.

MO'VKBIEE ECGENTRIO.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21, 1900;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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m: mums Perms co. mom-Urns, wnsums'ron a c No. 725,716. PATEN IED APR. 21, 1903.

w. T. JAMES. MOVABLE 5003mm.

APPLIOATION IILIEI) SEPT. 21. 1900. A H0 MODEL. 3 SHEET SSHEET 2- No. 725,716. PATENTBD APR. 21. 1903. W. T. JAMES.

MOVABLE EOGENTRIG.

APPLIQATION FILED SEPT. 21. 1900.

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UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE.

.WILLIAM T. JAMES, on CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MOVABLE ECCENTRIC.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters latent No. 725,716, dated April 21, 1903.

Application filed September 21,1900. Serial No. 30,677. (No model.) 7

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM THOMAS JAMES, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Movable Eccentrics, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

This invention relates to shifting eccentric devices, and has particular reference, to the special parts or instrumentalities employed for changing the throw of the said eccentric, so as to control the movements of any mechanism that may be actuated thereby, the said shifting movement being accomplished by means so located as to be accessible to the hand of the operator and capable of ready manipulation while the eccentric and shaft upon which it is mounted are in motion. Mechanical movement devices of this kind have been heretofore most commonly employed in connection with engine-shafts for. giving motion to the valves of the engine, being designed to take the place of what is known commonlyas the link-motion or other similar system of valve controlling mechanisms. I propose, however, to claim the invention herein disclosed, broadly, as a movable eccentric and wish to be understood as not intending to limit any of the claims in this application specifically to a valve mechanism or any other particular apparatus to which this improvement may be applied, but

propose to so word the combinations expressed in the claims that they will cover any and all uses of which the invention is capable.

More specifically, this invention has relation to the provision of a movable eccentric in which there is combined with a rotating shaft a transversely-movable block on the shaft constructed to be operated with the shaft in motion from a point without the shaft, a longitudinally-movable sleeve, and devices for transforming the longitudinal movement of the sleeve into a transverse movement of the block, whereby there is secured a change of movement of the eccentric and a difference in the operation of the valves.

It has heretofore been proposed to operate a movable eccentric by a wedge or other like contrivance longitudinally movable with reference to the shaft upon which the eccentric is mounted.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide mechanism for securing the desired movement of the eccentric-block without the necessity for any longitudinal movement of the levers or the actuating devices connected with the shaft, so that the space upon the shaft occupied by the devices for moving the eccentric-block will be a fixed and determined quantity and not a variable one, such as has been the case with those devices heretofore used.

The accomplishment of the above-mentioned objects, as well as of such others as may hereinafter appear, I attain by means of a construction which I have illustrated in preferred form in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows in side elevation the levers employed by me for moving the eccentric. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a detail of an eccentrio-block employing my invention. Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the several parts in their relation to one another. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on another plane. Fig. 5 is a view of one of the details, showing the hub which is fixed to the shaft and about which the other parts are mounted. Fig. 6 is another view of the same part. Fig. 7 is a section of the line 7 7 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an end view of a pinion mounted to rotate or move with the shaft, but having some oscillating motion with reference to it. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 10. is another side elevation showing the parts shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the collar, which is arranged to rotate with the shaft. Fig. 12 is another elevation of the same. Fig. 13'is a View of one-half of the collar looking at it from the inside in order to show the helical projections upon it.

Fig. 14. is aside elevation of a longitudinallymovable sleeve adapted to engage the collar shown in Figs. ll, 12, and 13. Fig. 15 is a view, partly in section, showing another portion of said sleeve. Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 17 is a View, partly in section, of an oscillating ring, to which is attached one of the operating-levers for giving motion to the movable eccentric. Fig.

18 is an end elevation of said ring Fig. 19 is r manner clearly shown in Fig. 1.

.has two rods 4 and 5, connecting,

a plan view of the same. Fig. 20 is a side View of another oscillating ring, having an operating-lever attached thereto. Fig. 21 is another view of the same ring. Fig. 22 is a plan or top view of the same.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, itwill be seen that I have provided an operating-lever 1, connected, by means of a rocking shaft 2, to adouble-ended lever 3, which respeciively, with the actuating-levers 6and 7 in the The actuating-levers 6 and 7 are thus given a movement in opposite directions by means of the rocking of the lever 3, and this movement of the levers b and 7 in opposite directions I transmit so as to secure the desired movement of the eccentric-block in a manner which will now be described in connection with the other figures of the drawings.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that upon a rotating shaftI have mounted a fixed hub 9, adapted to revolve with the shaft. Adjacent to an outstanding flange 10 upon the said hub I- arrange an eccentric-block 11, constructed, as shown in Fig. 2, with an inwardly-pointing set of gearteeth 12 and an outwardly-pointing set of teeth 13, the former of which are disposed so as to engage the sectional pinion 14L and the latter to engage an inwardly-projecting rack 15, carried by the fixed hub, before referred to. The device I have just described Ihave so arranged that when the pinion 14 oscillates upon the shaft it will tend to impart a movement to the eccentric-block 11 by the instrumentality of the teeth 12 transversely of the shaft, the block 11 rolling upon the rack 15 Ma manner which will be seen by an examination of Fig.2. The pinion 14 is shown in detail in Figs. 8, 9, and 10 and as therein illustratedis provided with two helical grooves 16 and 17, through which project corresponding helical projections carried by the longitudinally-mova'ble rotating collar 18. Upon the collar 18 there are also a couple of projections arranged longitudinally of the collar at the base of the helical projections. These are marked, respectively, 19 and 20 and are adapted to engage a longitudinal groove in the fixed hub 9, so as to prevent the collar from turning relatively to the hub and shaft. The collar 18 is also provided with a peripheral groove 21, in which engages one end of the longitudinally-movable sleeve 22, as shown in Fig. 3. I

The collar 18 is shown in detail inFigs. 11,

'12, and 13, and the longitudinally-movable sleeve is clearly shown in detail in Figs. 14, 15, and 16. Upon the end of the sleeve 22, which is opposite to the hub or collar 18, are acouple of helical projections, (marked 23,) the outer ends of which are formed into longitudinal projections, (marked 24.) The helical projections 23 engage a corresponding slot in the oscillating ring 25,'to which is attached the lever 7, (shown in Fig. 1,) and the longitudinal projections 21 engage a corresponding slot in the ring 26, to which is attached the operating-lever 6. The operation of my device is as follows: A movement being given to the levers 6 and 7 by means of the operatinglever 1, they will be rotated in opposite directions or oscillated, more properly speaking, about the shaft. This oscillation willcause a longitudinal movement of the sleeve 22 by virtue of the helical groove in the ring 25 and the longitudinal groove in the ring 26 acting upon the corresponding helical and longitudinal projections upon thesleeve 22 in a manner which will be clear from an examination of Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The longitudinal motion thus imparted to the sleeve 22 will produce a correspondinglongitudinal motion of the rotating collar 18, which, because of the engagement of the projections thereon with the helical groove in the pinion 14 and the longitudinal groovein the hub 9, will produce a rotation or, more properly speaking, an oscillation of the pinion 9 upon the shaft. Such'oscillation of the pinion because of the engagement of the teeth thereon with the eccentric-block, as shown in Fig. 2, will produce a movement of the eccentric-block which, as before stated, will be transverse to the shaft, the block rolling, as it were, upon the rack 15 from one side of the shaft to the other, so as to produce a reversal of the motion transmitted from the eccentric, or when used in connection with engine valvegear a reversal of the engine when so used. The valve mechanism obviously may be set at any intermediate point by the proper degree of motion being given to the two operating-levers 6 and 7 and the operation'of the engine thus controlled with great nicety.

It is obvious that in place of the curved rack 12 a straight rack could be substituted, if desired, and the eccentric-block 11 moved transversely of the shaft on a couple of straight transverse guides, such as have been used heretofore in the art in like constructions, the combinations referred to being employed in con nection with the actuating mechanisms comprising the two oscillating rings 25 and 26 and the longitudinally-movable sleeve 22 and other connected parts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a rotating shaft, I

of a transversely-movable block on the shaft, a longitudinally-movable sleeve, devices for transforming the longitudinal motion of said sleeve into transverse motion of said block, two rings on the shaft, means for imparting oscillating movement to said rings, and means whereby said oscillating movement of said rings imparts longitudinal motion to said sleeve, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a rotating shaft, of a transversely-movable block on the shaft, a longitudinally-movable sleeve, devices for transforming the longitudinal motion of said sleeve into transverse motion of said block, and two oscillating rings telescopically arranged, one provided with helical grooves and one with longitudinal grooves, and means whereby the oscillating movement of said rings relative to each other imparts longituof a transversely-movable eccentric-block on said shaft, a ring having helical and longitudinal projections thereon a longitudinallymovable sleeve on said shaft engaging said ring, a rotating pinion within said ring and sleeve, said pinion being provided with a helical groove engaging a corresponding helical projection upon said ring, two oscillating rings on.said shaft, and means whereby the oscillating movement of said rings relative to each other imparts longitudinal motion to said sleeve, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a rotating shaft, of 'a transversely-movable eccentric-block on said shaft, a longitudinally-movable sleeve on said shaft, a ring engaging said sleeve, a rotating pinion within said sleeve, said pinion being provided with a helical groove ongaging -a corresponding helical projection upon said ring, two oscillating rings telescopioally arranged, one provided with a helical groove and the other with a longitudinal groove, and corresponding projections upon said longitudinally-movable sleeve engaging the grooves in said rings, whereby the osoil lating'movement of said rings relative to each other imparts longitudinal motion to said sleeve, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a rotating shaft,

of an eccentric-blocktransversely movable thereon, a hub or projecting part rigidly fixed to said shaft, means of engagement between said movable block and said hub for adjusting the position of said block, and means,substantially as described, for imparting. movement to said eccentric block wherebyitmay be set in predetermined position, substantially as specified. I

7. The combination witha rotating shaft, of an eccentric-block transversely movable thereon, a hub or projecting part fixed to said shaft, teeth on said block engaging said hub, whereby adjustment of said eccentric-block is secured, and means for holding said eccentric-block in adjusted position, substantially as described.

8. A shifting eccentric comprising the combination with a rotating shaft of an eccentricblock, means for imparting transverse motion to said eccentric-block, comprising the pinion 14 and coacting parts, and means comprising a hub 9 fixed to said shaft, a rack upon said hub, and a segmental gear upon said block constructed to engage said rack, whereby the said block is given a rolling motion, substantially as described. 7

9. A shifting eccentric comprising the com= bination with a rotating shaft of an eccentricblock, means for imparting a transverse motion to said eccentric-block, and means whereby the said block is given a rolling motion, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a rotating shaft of a longitudinally-movable sleeve mounted upon said shaft, two rings mounted on said sleeve and means for imparting oscillating movement in opposite direction to said rings while said shaft is rotating, and means where by said oscillating movement of said rings imparts longitudinal motion to said sleeve, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM T. JAMES.

Witnesses:

PAUL SYNNESTVEDT, PAUL CARPENTER. 

